For this week’s “A Conversation With” we picked the brain of Shanti Fabiunke, one of Fellowship Deaconry’s most energetic staffers.

Shanti, where are you from?

I was born in Morristown, New Jersey. I grew up in Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, and Millington.

When did you start at the Deaconry?

In 2000 I started running the Sweet Shop in the summers part time. I began full time in 2007 helping with the Conference Center, the Sweet Shop, and the Bookstore. It was definitely a busy time, but now I am solely focused on the Conference Center.

How did you end up here today?

I’ve been connected to the Fellowship Deaconry for most of my life. When I was a child, I was a camper at Day Camp Sunshine. Later in life, I was brought back here after I married my husband Martin, whose family worked for the Deaconry. After he served in the Navy for several years and worked for T-Mobile, he was asked to come back and work for the Deaconry. He said yes, and I came along with him. Once all of our children were old enough to be in school, I came to work full-time as well.

What is your role here at the Deaconry?

I manage reservations for the conference center. I book retreats, facilitate the organization of the groups coming and the facilities being used, and make sure that everything runs smoothly from check-in to check-out. 

What are some of your hobbies and interests?

I really love reading and photography. When I want to get away and regroup, one of my favorite places to go is Barnegat Light House on Long Beach Island, NJ.

What is your favorite scripture?

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Any leaving thoughts?

What amazes me is how I constantly hear from both groups and individuals who come onto the property that they feel the peace of God here. And to me, that is amazing. They come from wherever they come from and they can feel it. God is working here. He has been for many many years, and I believe He will continue to do so into the future.